Mitchell deJong Claims RallyX on Ice Title in Östersund

After overcoming flu-like symptoms for much of the week, 2014 GRC Lites champion Mitchell deJong claimed the 2017 RallyX on Ice title at Östersunds Motorstadion in Sweden on Saturday. The Temecula, California native became the first American champion in series history as he completed the schedule with podiums in all three rounds.

deJong was one of three drivers with GRC Lites links to advance to the semifinals on Saturday, joining 2015 champion Oliver Eriksson and 2013 competitor Alexander Westlund. When all was said and done, it was Westlund who would take the victory in the main event, advancing to second in the championship with the maximum 15 points on the weekend.

But it wasn’t enough to topple deJong, who entered the weekend with 27 points to Westlund’s 18. The American placed third, one spot ahead of his Olsbergs MSE teammate Eriksson, to earn 10 points and hold the title on a 37-33 margin.

Other GRC Lites drivers to compete in this year’s RallyX on Ice season included Conner Martell, a two-time race winner in 2016 with DirtFish Motorsports who will return to the team this year, and longtime OMSE driver Sandra Hultgren. Drivers with Red Bull GRC ties to compete in past seasons have included 2016 RallyX on Ice champion Kevin Eriksson, Sebastian Eriksson, Patrik Sandell, and Austin Dyne.